King

Company History

The King family business started in Pforzheim in 1936 producing electrical components. Bigger premises were acquired at Bad Liebenzell (Black forest) in 1938, but the war interrupted plans, and the company re-emerged as Regula-Werk King KG, with the affordable Regula camera being its main line. The company produced some flashguns and a vast array of 35mm cameras under various names, producing many for other companies including Boots, Dixons and Foto-Quelle's Revue brand; while some were even built under licence in places as far away as India. By 1970, a not so successfull SLR project cost the company dearly (infringement of Leitz patents? There is only one reference in the internet, from Brazil!), and the pocket cameras took on an altogether cheaper look, often being bought in from Hong Kong. The 110 format models kept the company afloat until 1984 when it was declared bankrupt, after egineering a new Disc-camera that did not sell. A brief revival allowed other makers to badge-engineer Regula products for a while longer, including Voigtländer, who ordered its Vitoret 110 through King, even after production switched to Hong Kong.